Nigeria has made history by becoming the first country in the world to introduce a new vaccine, Men5CV, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat meningitis. This groundbreaking vaccine targets five strains of meningococcus bacteria, marking a significant milestone in global health.
The WHO announced that health workers in Nigeria would launch an immunization campaign to reach one million people, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Nigeria, located in the African Meningitis Belt, is one of 26 hyper-endemic countries for meningitis in Africa.
In response to a surge in meningitis cases in 2023, Nigeria faced a severe outbreak, resulting in numerous suspected and confirmed cases, as well as fatalities in several states. To address this crisis, a vaccination campaign was swiftly implemented, targeting individuals aged 1-29 years.
Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, with bacterial meningitis posing the greatest threat. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of the new vaccine in preventing future outbreaks and saving lives, bringing the world closer to the goal of eradicating meningitis by 2030.
The Men5CV vaccine offers protection against five major strains of meningococcal bacteria, providing broader coverage than previous vaccines. Developed through a partnership between PATH and the Serum Institute of India, with crucial support from the UK government, the vaccine has been prequalified by the WHO and recommended for global use.
The rollout of Men5CV in Nigeria signifies a significant step towards eliminating meningitis, particularly in high-risk regions like Northern Nigeria. The UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to save lives and drive progress towards defeating meningitis worldwide.
As countries across the Meningitis Belt prepare to implement mass preventive campaigns with the new vaccine, global health leaders are convening in Paris for an international summit on meningitis. This summit aims to celebrate achievements, address challenges, and secure commitments to accelerate efforts towards eliminating meningitis as a public health threat by 2030.
The introduction of Men5CV in Nigeria represents a transformative milestone in the fight against meningitis in Africa, offering hope for a future free from the devastating impact of this disease. With ongoing support from organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and WHO, the world is closer to achieving the ambitious goal of defeating meningitis by 2030.
